The Little World

Never heard of ’em? I never did until I started patronising Hobbytech out in Myaree. Then I found an increasing number of products from this Taiwanese firm on their tool and material shelves.

I experimented with a few things, then bought more. Not every product was world-beating, but they were all workable, and some were actually wonderful. I added their masking tapes, scribers, cut-off shears, and any number of other little accessories to the Little Workshop tool roster.

Today I got more scribers and a metal template to allow me to make specified shapes in styrene. I briefly toyed with the idea of  another set of their mixing spoons …but saved my money…and looked at the ball bearings that people shake their paints up with. And there were mixing palettes, dishes, pouring spouts, brushes, etc. etc.

I must have commented on the brand to the owner because he waxed very enthusiastic about them and pointed out something I had noticed as well – their prices can be 1/6 th the amount of competitors with fancier names. I’m willing to say that the quality of their goods is just the same – because we are talking basics here. No names, no pack drill, but when you can get six of something or one of another you sit up and take notice.

However, there is a small fly in the ointment – and like a lot of flies these days, this one is Oriental. The goods that come out of China, Japan, Korea, and other points in that area can be top quality. Just look into the box of a good new Chinese plastic model and see. The materials can be excellent – I’ve just spent a day spraying one of the GSI Mr. Hobby paints and cannot fault it.  And the price – as with Ustar – can be very competitive, even after wholesale and retail additions.

But. But…

But try to read the side of the box, can, or packet to see what is inside and what you should do with it. Unless you are one of the very few Australians who read a Chinese language well, or read Japanese well, you will be floating in a sea of ignorance. You will look at the product in your hand in the hobby store and experience a sort of panic…and then put it back on the rack , to go pick up something from Humbrol, Testors, or MIG. Something with letters you recognise.

My only relief from this situation came through surfing the net when I encountered a well-translated GSI Creos website that finally told me what to do with their products. The fact that this was a long internet search instead of a pamphlet or signboard in the shop is the glaring error.

Okay. We’re at fault for not reading their language. But if they want to read the numbers on our money, they need to get their publicity department working overtime.